Text message program to improve the health of people with type 2 diabetes.

INTERVENTION: The intervention group will receive mobile phone text messages for 6 months. For Phase 1 (the first 3 months), participants in the intervention group will receive a text message every day at a random time between 8 am and 5 pm. The text messages will provide information, motivation and support on physical activity, nutrition, weight, and diabetes self‐management. Participants who smoke tobacco or take medication for diabetes (ie tablets or insulin) will also receive an additional message on smoking and medication adherence each fortnight. For Phase 2 (3rd to 6th month) participants will receive the text messages four times per week. The information in the text messages is based on validated guidelines for people with type 2 diabetes, advice from academic and clinical experts, and the published literature. The delivery of the text messages will be unidirectional. The messaging software will provide a report on the delivery of messages to participants. CONDITION: Type 2 diabetes PRIMARY OUTCOME: HbA1c as measured by blood test. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Body mass index will be collected on pathology request forms and via self‐report on the questionnaire. Diabetes management self‐efficacy will be measured using a question developed specifically for this study. High density lipoprotein cholesterol will be collected via pathology requests. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol will be collected via pathology requests. Medication adherence will be measured using a question developed specifically for this study. Nutrition self‐efficacy will be measured using a question developed specifically for this study. Nutrition will be measured by some questions from the NSW Population Health Survey and a question developed specifically for this study. Physical activity self‐efficacy will be measured using a question developed specifically for this study. Physical activity will be measured using the two‐question (2Q) assessment. Quality of life will be measured using the Short Form 12‐item health survey (SF12v2) Smoking will be measured using a question from the WHO STEPS Instrument and a question developed specifically for this study. Total cholesterol will be collected via pathology requests. Triglycerides will be collected via pathology requests. INCLUSION CRITERIA: People 18 years and older who have a mobile phone People with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c7.0% or above) People who can read and speak English People who have received medical clearance from their doctor